During my playthrough of Bounty Star at Summer Game Fest, I was immediately drawn to the Wild West-themed mech game with a strong Cowboy Bebop influence centered around a melancholic old bounty hunter named Clem. The combination of vibes felt tailor-made for me, and the gameplay itself proved to be just as captivating.
Bounty Star features missions set in specific maps with unique enemy placements. The stage I experienced was open-ended, allowing for various approaches to tackling objectives. Rushing headfirst into battle is not advisable, as you will quickly find yourself overwhelmed by enemies, especially with patrolling foes adding to the challenge.
The combat in Bounty Star is impactful, reminiscent of games like Dark Souls and FromSoftware’s Armored Core. Melee attacks require commitment, especially with the default sword, but landing a hit is incredibly satisfying. Your choice of loadout is crucial – I struggled until I switched to a faster melee weapon and a powerful grenade launcher that made short work of enemies.
While the combat was enjoyable, it was the downtime between missions that intrigued me the most. Exploring the hub area, including Clem’s mech workshop and a farming plot reminiscent of Stardew Valley, added depth to the experience. Crafting meals from harvested ingredients to buff yourself before a mission, similar to Monster Hunter, was a nice touch. The mention of “base building” mechanics on the game’s Steam page hints at even more complexity.
Although I only had a brief 30-minute glimpse of Bounty Star, the engaging combat, intriguing progression system, and overall vibes instantly captivated me. It has quickly become a must-have on my wishlist, and I eagerly anticipate its release on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, and PC later this year.
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